PROFESSION: Actor/singer
CURRENT PROJECT: Star as Roger in "Rent," which runs through
April 5 at Chicago's Shubert Theatre. Also star in the television;
show "Sweet Valley High."
AGE: 26.
HOME: Los Angeles, Calif. Was born in North Carolina.
WHEN I HAVE TIME, THE WAY I LIKE TO COOK AND EAT IS: With
my schedule, sometimes it's very difficult. I can't eat a lot before
the show. Sometimes I eat a little something before the show and
a little something after. It's probably politically incorrect, but I
eat a lot of red meat and potatoes. That's the way I was raised.
We always had a meat and two vegetables. I enjoy experimenting
with different things. I was raised on real Southern cuisine.
THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON MY COOKING IS: In my family,
everyone helped with the cooking. I always watched my mom and
dad and grandmother. Everyone had little jobs to do. I was
interested in it and thought it was cool. My grandmother made
everything from scratch. She didn't believe anything good could
come out of a box.
MEMORABLE MEALS AS I WAS GROWING UP INCLUDE: Fried
chicken, fresh vegetables such as green beans, field peas and
my grandmother's squash recipe. That was a staple of a big meal.
The squash recipe was always one of the favorite foods that my
mom made all the time. Mine doesn't turn out as good as theirs.
MY FAVORITE DISH TO MAKE AT HOME IS: Baking a smoked ham.
A cured ham has such a good flavor and makes the house smell
good.
THE PERSON I'D MOST LIKE TO COOK FOR IS: My girlfriend, Amy.
She cooks for me all the time.
THE PERSON I'D MOST LIKE TO COOK FOR ME IS: Wilma Flintstone.
She made some of the most interesting stuff. I'd like to taste
some of those Brontosaurus burgers.
TO ME, THE PERFECT MEAL IS: I have two versions of the perfect
meal. One is a real Norman Rockwell experience because I really
enjoy eating with my family. I think of a big table with 30 people
eating. I also like to eat in a really nice restaurant where you can
relax and sit for a couple of hours.
ABOUT EATING OUT IN CHICAGO: I love to eat steak and I like to
go to the Chicago Chop House. I love sushi, and there are a lot of
sushi places here. You get a lot of protein from sushi. I've also
taken to going to Chinatown and having a dim sum breakfast on
Sundays. I'll pretty much try anything once. I'm not a finicky eater.
THE HEALTHY FOOD TREND HAS MADE ME: More conscious of what
I need to eat. Doing the show, I try to concentrate on eating healthy.
If I eat junk, I can feel the difference.
MY FAVORITE SNACK FOOD IS: Nutty Bars made by Little Debbie.
FAMOUS CHEFS I ADMIRE: Justin Wilson. I watch him a lot. He's
cool. I also like Tommy Tang. I met him once in Minneapolis, where
we cooked together on a show. I made Thai bow tie pasta.

Celebrity Cook appears the last Wednesday of each month. Local
Flavor will return next Wednesday.